Electrical Wiring
Printable Handout for Electrical Wiring Inspections and Guidelines
Permit and Fees
An electrical permit is required for a new installation, replacement, alteration or repair.
1. Minimum fee $40.00 for each separate inspection of an installation, replacement, alteration or repair limited to only one inspection.
2. Administrative fee $10.00 for each permit.
3. State surcharge $1.00 is to be added to each permit.
SERVICE CHANGE FOR SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE 100 TO 200 AMPERE CAPACITY UP TO 30 CIRCUITS $100.00
Single Family Homes Service and up to 25 circuits (3 Trips) $175.00
Over 25 circuits will be charged (see #5 below)
Example
New home $175.00
Administrative fee $10.00
State surcharge $1.00
Total $186.00
Multi Family, Feeder, and up to 15 circuits Per Unit and 2 Trips $100.00
Over 15 circuits will be charged - see #5 below
4. Electrical Service – new service, changes to service, temporary services, additions, alterations or repairs on either primary or secondary services shall be computed separately.
0 to 100 ampere capacity $20.00
101 to and including 200 ampere capacity $25.00
For each additional 100 ampere capacity or fraction there of $8.00
5. Circuits - installation of, additions, alterations, or repairs of each circuit or sub-feeder shall be computed separately, including circuits fed from sub-feeders and including the equipment served, except as provided for in Items 4 through 9.
0 to and including 30 ampere capacity $7.00
(Maximum number of 1-30 ampere circuits to be paid on is 25 to any one cabinet) EXCEPTING SINGLE FAMILY SERVICE CHANGE ABOVE
31 to and including 100 ampere capacity $8.00
For each additional 100 ampere capacity or fraction thereof $5.00
6. In addition to the above fees:
A charge of $4.00 will be made for each street lighting standard. A charge of $5.00 will be made for each traffic signal standard. Circuits originating within the standard will not be used when computing fees.
7. In addition to the above fees:
All transformers and generators for light, heat and power will be computed separately at $5.00 per unit plus $0.25 per KVA up to and including 100 KVA. 101 KVA and over will be computed at $0.20 per KVA
All Transformers for signs and outline lighting shall be computed at $4.00 for the first 500 VA or fraction thereof per unit plus $0.40 for each additional 100 VA or fraction thereof.
8. In addition to the above fees (unless included in the fee filed by the initial installer):
Remote control, signal circuits and circuits of less than 50 volts shall be computed at $6.00 per each ten (10) openings or devices of each system plus $0.50 for each additional opening.
9. For review of plans and specifications of proposed installations there shall be a minimum fee of $100.00 up to and including $30,000.00 of electrical estimate, plus 1/10 of one percent (1%) on any amount in excess of $30,000.00 to be paid by persons or firms requesting the review.
10. When re-inspection is necessary to determine whether unsafe conditions have been corrected and such conditions are not subject to an appeal pending before any court, a re-inspection fee of $35.00 may be assessed in writing by the inspector.
11. For inspections not covered herein, or for requested special inspections or services, the fee of $32.00 per man hour, including travel time, plus the standard IRS allowed mileage reimbursement per mile traveled, plus the reasonable cost of equipment or material consumed. This section is also applicable to inspection of empty conduits and such jobs as determined by the City.
12. For inspection of transient projects including, but not limited to carnivals and circuses the inspection fees shall be computed as follows:
Power supply units according to item 2 of the fee schedule. A like fee will be required on power supply units at each engagement during the season, except that a fee of $50.00 will be charged for additional time spent by the inspector if the power supply is not ready for inspection at the time and date specified on the Request for Inspection as required by law.
Rides, devices or concessions shall be inspected at their first appearance of the season and the inspection fee shall be $35.00 per unit.
13. Fees for services, feeders and circuits operating at over 250 volts shall be double those listed in items 4 and 5 above.
14. A State surcharge is to be added to each permit.
Inspections need to be scheduled with Electrical Inspector, Pat McMullen, at (612) 866-1979. His inspection office hours are 7:00 am -8:30 am, Monday-Thursday. Inspections are normally made the same day they are called in. Please have your permit number ready when you call for an inspection.
The law requires that the final inspection be made on wiring for all new homes, additions, and remodeling. It is unlawful to occupy a new home before all wiring is completed, inspected and approved.
It is the responsibility of the permit holder to call for the final inspection when all devices and fixtures have been installed, and wiring is entirely completed including the cover plates.
The above information covers common mistakes made by homeowners doing their own wiring. Additional information and knowledge will be needed to install the wiring properly. Wiring by owners must comply with the same standards as required of Electrical contractors.
The code we are enforcing is the 2020 National Electric Code. You can find a copy at the public library.
State law prohibits planning, laying out, or doing electrical work by anyone other than the resident owner or a licensed electrical contractor.
Permit and Fees
An electrical permit is required for a new installation, replacement, alteration or repair.
1. Minimum fee $40.00 for each separate inspection of an installation, replacement, alteration or repair limited to only one inspection.
2. Administrative fee $10.00 for each permit.
3. State surcharge $1.00 is to be added to each permit.
SERVICE CHANGE FOR SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE 100 TO 200 AMPERE CAPACITY UP TO 30 CIRCUITS $100.00
Single Family Homes Service and up to 25 circuits (3 Trips) $175.00
Over 25 circuits will be charged (see #5 below)
Example
New home $175.00
Administrative fee $10.00
State surcharge $1.00
Total $186.00
Multi Family, Feeder, and up to 15 circuits Per Unit and 2 Trips $100.00
Over 15 circuits will be charged - see #5 below
4. Electrical Service – new service, changes to service, temporary services, additions, alterations or repairs on either primary or secondary services shall be computed separately.
0 to 100 ampere capacity $20.00
101 to and including 200 ampere capacity $25.00
For each additional 100 ampere capacity or fraction there of $8.00
5. Circuits - installation of, additions, alterations, or repairs of each circuit or sub-feeder shall be computed separately, including circuits fed from sub-feeders and including the equipment served, except as provided for in Items 4 through 9.
0 to and including 30 ampere capacity $7.00
(Maximum number of 1-30 ampere circuits to be paid on is 25 to any one cabinet) EXCEPTING SINGLE FAMILY SERVICE CHANGE ABOVE
31 to and including 100 ampere capacity $8.00
For each additional 100 ampere capacity or fraction thereof $5.00
6. In addition to the above fees:
A charge of $4.00 will be made for each street lighting standard. A charge of $5.00 will be made for each traffic signal standard. Circuits originating within the standard will not be used when computing fees.
7. In addition to the above fees:
All transformers and generators for light, heat and power will be computed separately at $5.00 per unit plus $0.25 per KVA up to and including 100 KVA. 101 KVA and over will be computed at $0.20 per KVA
All Transformers for signs and outline lighting shall be computed at $4.00 for the first 500 VA or fraction thereof per unit plus $0.40 for each additional 100 VA or fraction thereof.
8. In addition to the above fees (unless included in the fee filed by the initial installer):
Remote control, signal circuits and circuits of less than 50 volts shall be computed at $6.00 per each ten (10) openings or devices of each system plus $0.50 for each additional opening.
9. For review of plans and specifications of proposed installations there shall be a minimum fee of $100.00 up to and including $30,000.00 of electrical estimate, plus 1/10 of one percent (1%) on any amount in excess of $30,000.00 to be paid by persons or firms requesting the review.
10. When re-inspection is necessary to determine whether unsafe conditions have been corrected and such conditions are not subject to an appeal pending before any court, a re-inspection fee of $35.00 may be assessed in writing by the inspector.
11. For inspections not covered herein, or for requested special inspections or services, the fee of $32.00 per man hour, including travel time, plus the standard IRS allowed mileage reimbursement per mile traveled, plus the reasonable cost of equipment or material consumed. This section is also applicable to inspection of empty conduits and such jobs as determined by the City.
12. For inspection of transient projects including, but not limited to carnivals and circuses the inspection fees shall be computed as follows:
Power supply units according to item 2 of the fee schedule. A like fee will be required on power supply units at each engagement during the season, except that a fee of $50.00 will be charged for additional time spent by the inspector if the power supply is not ready for inspection at the time and date specified on the Request for Inspection as required by law.
Rides, devices or concessions shall be inspected at their first appearance of the season and the inspection fee shall be $35.00 per unit.
13. Fees for services, feeders and circuits operating at over 250 volts shall be double those listed in items 4 and 5 above.
14. A State surcharge is to be added to each permit.
Inspection Information
Inspections need to be scheduled with Electrical Inspector, Pat McMullen, at (612) 866-1979. His inspection office hours are 7:00 am -8:30 am, Monday-Thursday. Inspections are normally made the same day they are called in. Please have your permit number ready when you call for an inspection.
Rough-In Inspection
This inspection must be done before any wiring is covered by insulation, sheetrock, paneling, etc. Underground wiring must be inspected before the trench is covered.- At all boxes, there must be minimum wire length of six inches including the grounding conductors.
- The outer cable jacket must extend at least ¼” into the box.
- All splicing of ground wires and other wires must be completed with approved splicing devices when calling for inspection.
- In receptacle boxes with more than one cable in the box, the ground wires must be spliced with a wire tail to be attached to the ground screw on the receptacle or switch, as only one conductor is permitted under a terminal screw.
- All metal boxes and equipment must be grounded.
- The volume of boxes must be sufficient for the number of conductors and other items contained in the Box. (See NEC art. 314-16 for box sizing)
- Do not install junction boxes in attic or conceal them in walls.
- All junctions and splices should be made in boxes that are used for fixtures, switches, or receptacles. If a regular box is too small, use a larger volume box. (See NEC 314-16)
- Plastic cable must be stapled at intervals not exceeding 4 & ½’, and within 8” of plastic boxes.
- Plastic cable must not be installed within 1 & ¼” of the face of studs, joists, strips, or any framing members. This applies to cables installed through bored holes or cables strapped to the sides of studs or strips. Cables closer than 1 & 1/4” must be protected with metal plates or sleeve a minimum of 1/16” thick.
- Outlet boxes may not be used as sole support of ceiling fans. Special approved fan boxes should be used for support of ceiling fans.
- Ground fault circuit interrupters must be used for receptacles located in bathrooms, garages, outside locations, within 6’ of kitchen or bar type sinks, and unfinished areas of basements. (see NEC 210-8 for further details of GRI protection requirements)
- Recessed lighting fixtures installed in insulated areas must be IC rated. All recessed lighting fixtures must be installed as per the manufactures instructions. (Some are not approved for wiring with plastic cable.)
- See NEC 201.12 for required use of ARC/Fault protection.
- See NEC 406.12 for required use of tamper resistant receptacles
Final Inspection
The law requires that the final inspection be made on wiring for all new homes, additions, and remodeling. It is unlawful to occupy a new home before all wiring is completed, inspected and approved.
It is the responsibility of the permit holder to call for the final inspection when all devices and fixtures have been installed, and wiring is entirely completed including the cover plates.
Other Information
All electrical equipment must be listed and labeled by a testing laboratory such as UL, ETL, MET, CSA, or several others recognized by the Minnesota State Board of Electricity.The above information covers common mistakes made by homeowners doing their own wiring. Additional information and knowledge will be needed to install the wiring properly. Wiring by owners must comply with the same standards as required of Electrical contractors.
The code we are enforcing is the 2020 National Electric Code. You can find a copy at the public library.
State law prohibits planning, laying out, or doing electrical work by anyone other than the resident owner or a licensed electrical contractor.
Follow Us On